Best of All Worlds
Lucerne International School offers a seamless transition for students from the Swiss, International Baccalaureate (IB), or Cambridge international systems. Our students achieve the same outcome: entry into Swiss or international universities.
Grades at Lucerne International School
* Ages are given as typical examples, however, students are accepted into grades at any age as long as Swiss compulsory schooling has been completed.
An Accessible Alternative to the Swiss Matura
The Swiss Matura requires studying 13 subjects, including three languages, making it challenging for students who prefer to specialise. Our IGCSE and A Level programmes offer a more focused alternative, allowing students to excel in their preferred subjects while benefiting from accommodations like extra time, computer use, or a scribe for those with individual learning needs.
Unlike the Swiss Matura, which has strict quotas and limited international recognition, IGCSEs and A Levels are widely accepted by universities worldwide. This provides Swiss students with a valuable second chance to enter both Swiss and international universities.
Our programme prepares students to meet Swiss university entry requirements, and in some cases, qualifications can be achieved in just one academic year.
Swiss University Requirements
To enter Swiss universities, students typically need:
- 3 A Levels with grades B, B, and C in subjects such as German, another language or humanities, Mathematics, or Natural Sciences. (ETH Zurich requires A grades in mathematics and a natural science.)
- 3 IGCSEs at grade B in subjects like Mathematics or Biology, plus two others from History, English, English Literature, Economics, Chemistry, or Physics.
Students from the Swiss system can enter Grade 10 at Lucerne International School, preparing them for Swiss universities.
The Advantage for International School Students
Students from international schools who have completed Grade 9 can enter directly into Grade 10 or take a reduced number of IGCSEs. While the IGCSE is a two-year programme, we recommend most students repeat Grade 9 to ensure adequate study hours.
IGCSEs and A Levels, administered by Pearson Edexcel, AQA and OxfordAQA, are accepted by universities worldwide and are a strong alternative to the IB Diploma. While the IB requires six subjects, Theory of Knowledge, Creativity, Action and Service, and an extended essay, A Levels allow students to focus on three subjects, making it a more streamlined option for university entry.